Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury said that the government has undertaken nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation programs as priority projects of the Prime Minister for public welfare. These initiatives are being implemented as part of fulfilling electoral promises made to the people. However, without public awareness and collective participation alongside government efforts, such programs cannot achieve full success. Therefore, canal excavation and tree plantation campaigns must be transformed into a social movement.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at a meeting on Sunday (10 May) at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room regarding the implementation of nationwide canal excavation and tree plantation activities under the Prime Minister’s priority projects.
The SCC administrator further said, “The government undertakes projects, but implementation requires everyone’s participation. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has already instructed party leaders and activists to actively support these projects. Together, we will make this initiative successful for public welfare.”
He added, “After 17 years, a democratic environment has returned to the country. With the people’s mandate, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is implementing various public welfare programs as a priority. Enriching the economy and improving people’s living standards are the government’s main goals. Therefore, it is our responsibility to make every initiative of the Prime Minister successful.”
Special guests at the meeting included Members of Parliament M A Malik and Mufti Abul Hasan. The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam.
In his speech, the Deputy Commissioner said, “Implementing this noble government initiative is our moral duty. Committees will be formed at the upazila level. Within one week, decisions must be made regarding which canals will be excavated and where tree plantation will take place. According to the plan, at least 50,000 people will participate in canal excavation activities in a single day and the target has been set to plant one million trees in Sylhet district in one day.”
Among others, Sylhet District BNP Vice President Shahid Ahmed, Legal Affairs Secretary Advocate Hasan Ahmed Patwari Ripon, Sadar Upazila BNP General Secretary Abul Kashem, district administration officials, representatives of various government and non-government organizations and leaders of social and cultural organizations presented different proposals for implementing the project. Press release